Provincial Launch: Strengthening Nepal’s social protection through sustainable financing

ILO Nepal, the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors and UNICEF Nepal have committed to strengthening social protection through sustainable financing at the provincial level

Today marks the provincial launch of “Improving Synergies between Social Protection and Public Finance Management” in Nepal, a critical step towards implementing the innovative project that aims at improving government’s social protection policies and financing strategies through enhanced coordination mechanisms. The project takes on an inclusive approach by reaching out to persons with disabilities, informal sector workers, and people vulnerable to disasters. 

The global project, launched on 17th November 2020 envisages working closely with government  by improving the design, implementation and financing of the social protection systems, and by ensuring social protection systems are gender-sensitive, disability-inclusive and shock-responsive. In Nepal, the project will work closely with Provinces 2 and 6. 

“The ILO Nepal has been working in close coordination with the Social Security Fund (SSF) to advance the government’s agenda on social protection. In the backdrop of how COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the significance of contribution-based social protection in the country, the project hopes to build the capacity of federal and provincial actors for effective and timely implementation of social security systems.” said Richard Howard, Director of the ILO Country Office for Nepal.

Social protection is a human right, and an investment with high social and economic returns– yet more than half the world’s population do not have access to any social protection , and coverage remains particularly low for vulnerable groups such as children, persons with disabilities, women and men who work in the informal economy and migrants. 

To get more people better coverage, to raise more money for social protection and spend it better, social movements like CSOs and trade unions have a key role to play. “Many of us have years of grassroot experiences and insights, strive to represent and advocate to ensure the inclusion of all. Through this programme, social movements can hopefully be involved meaningfully and structurally and ensure that no one is left behind.” stated Bruno Deceukelier from WSM on behalf of the GCSPF.

The event was opened by Hon’able Dr. Ram Kumar Phuyal, National Planning Commission, followed by introductory remarks from representatives of the partner organizations. Over 60 participants attended, highlighting the role of social protection in the context of Nepal and the COVID-19 pandemic.

This project is part of the European Union (EU)’s global Action on improving synergies between social protection (SP) and public finance management in the evolving federalization context. The Action is being implemented in priority partner countries : Angola, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Nepal, Paraguay, Senegal and Uganda. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), International Labour Office (ILO), and Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) are key global partners. 

In Nepal, the project is being jointly led by UNICEF, ILO and WSM on behalf of the GCSPF, and is supported by EU and Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO).